Robert George Groth, 90, of Deep River, died on Oct. 6 and will be missed greatly by his children and grandchildren. Bob was the loving husband of 60 years to the late Barbara (Burdick) Groth. He was born in New Britain on June 3, 1922, son of the late Arthur F. Groth and Mary (Chuba) Groth.  Bob attended New Britain High School and graduated from the Teachers College of Connecticut (now Central Connecticut State University) in 1943.  He became a U.S. Navy aviator and served as a flight instructor, conducting basic flight training using the popular SNJ-5 trainer aircraft. 

After his marriage to Barbara in 1945 and the end of World War II, they settled in Deep River, where Bob began to teach Industrial Arts at Deep River High School.  He is remembered fondly for directing all of the school choral performances at the Deep River Town Hall.

During this time, inspired by his early study of military drum technique, Bob organized the Deep River Junior Fife and Drum Corps. When Valley Regional High School was completed in 1951, Bob developed the Industrial Arts Department and remained its chairman until his retirement in 1981. 

Many remember Bob’s contributions as YMCA Day Camp director and swim instructor, school bus driver, driver education teacher, and timekeeper at basketball games. Bob also composed the “Alma Mater” for Valley High. 

Bob’s family fondly remembers their many summer camping trips, including a 10-week trip across the country in 1964. 

In 1971, Bob founded the Chancel Handbell Choir at the Deep River Congregational Church and remained its director for 35 years.  Seeing the need for a practical system for small groups, he created the “Porta Bell” system for four bell ringers and a publishing company to accommodate his arrangements.  He was honored to be a member of the Rotary Club as an independent publisher/arranger and was elected a “Paul Harris Fellow” in 1990.

At Deep River Congregational Church, Bob served as a deacon and was regularly active in the life of the church, especially the senior and junior choirs.  In his retirement, Bob gave charitably of his time by using self-taught skills on piano and organ to conduct sing-alongs at convalescent homes and also volunteered with Meals on Wheels.  On January 19, 2005, Bob was honored by the Deep River Historical Society with “Bob Groth Day.”

Bob’s family extends their heartfelt thanks to Peregrine’s Landing in Clinton and to the staff at Vitas Hospice for the love and expert attention they provided Bob in the last two years of his life.   

Bob is survived by his daughter, Susan Miron of Deep River; three sons, Robert, Jr. and his wife Sue of Pine Bush, New York, William of East Lyme, and Thomas and his wife Deborah of Clinton; four grandchildren, Linnea Miron, Chelsea Combs, and Tim and Jeremy Groth; and four great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his sister Shirley Stannard and his brothers Art and Ken. 

Family and friends will gather for a memorial service at the Deep River Congregational Church, Church St., Deep River, on Friday, Oct. 19, at 1 p.m.  In lieu of flowers, donations will be accepted by the Deep River Congregational Church, PO Box 246, Deep River, CT  06417.  The Swan Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. For online tributes and condolences, please visit www.swanfh.com.